Disgruntled lawyer injures 9 in strip center shooting in Houston
HOUSTON (WPVI) -- Eyewitnesses ducked for cover after police say a lawyer armed with several weapons opened fire at a southwest Houston strip center, injuring nine people before he was shot and killed by officers.
HPD says the scene is still active as a bomb squad is searching a vehicle. The Porsche in question is registered to Nathan Desai.
Desai has been identified as a local attorney. Our sister station, KTRK, has been in contact with Desai's father.
SKYEYE VIDEO: Don Armstrong reports from above the scene of the active shooter situation
One source tells KTRK that the vehicle was found filled with weapons.
HFD says six people were taken to area hospitals after they were injured by the shooter. Three were treated at the scene and released.
One victim is in critical condition with a gunshot wound, according to Memorial Hermann Hospital. Additionally, we know one is in fair condition and three are in good condition.
Two people were taken to Memorial Hermann Red Duke Trauma Institute and another three were taken to Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital. A sixth patient was transported to Ben Taub.
While officials said the shooter had been 'neutralized,' Houston Fire Department confirmed to Eyewitness News that the suspect has died.
A shelter-in-place was ordered for the West University area shortly before HPD confirmed the alleged shooter was shot by one of its officers.
Residents in the West University apartment complex are asked to remain indoors until further notice. HPD says the shelter-in-place affects residents south of Bissonnet, west of Academy, north of Drake and east of Auden.
West University Elementary School said it would open on time in spite of the shooting investigation.
Weslayan remains closed to traffic while officers investigate.
Meantime, a triage center has been set up in the parking lot of the strip center, where EMS is treating victims at the scene.
VIDEO: Witness says he was nearly shot at strip center
Weslayan Shooting Timeline
- 6:29am: HFD dispatched to corner of Weslayan and Bissonnet
- 6:32am: First unit arrives, determines active shooter situation
- 7:02am: Suspect down (per police scanner)
At around 6:30 this morning, HFD scanners reported a suspect was at a strip center firing upon vehicles.
The suspect was described as a black male wearing dark clothing, and that he was armed with several weapons, according to eyewitnesses.
"We received a call at 6:29 that we had a shooting at the Petco store...the first units were directed to the parking lot where the shooting was still active," HFD's Jay Evans says.
SKYEYE VIDEO: Don Armstrong updates situation on Weslayan at Bissonnet
"We now have approximately 20 EMS personnel vehicles on scene. We do not know, we do not have a count at this time as to how many people have been shot, but all of the people will be directed to local hospitals in the area that are going to be victims."
Emergency vehicles flooded the area around the strip center bordered by Weslayan, Bissonnet and Law Street.
Antwon Wilson witnessed the shooting and told Eyewitness News he was shaken up after being caught in the crossfire.
VIDEO: Witness describes active shooter situation in SW Houston
"I literally heard the gunshots past my face," Wilson says. "It's a hard pill to swallow."
Wilson said there was a steady shooting back and forth as officers worked to bring the active shooting situation to a close.
Police concentrated much of their focus during the shooting on an apartment complex on nearby Law Street, located behind the strip center.
VIDEO: Woman says bullets hit her vehicle during shooting
VIDEO: Father describes the shooting
HFD officials reported on radio that the suspect was seen behind some trees as he opened fire on vehicles in the area.
KTRK's crew watched as firefighters and officers ran up and down the street while the gunfire continued.
VIDEO: One of the youngest witnesses talks about what he saw
From the air in SkyEye, KTRK's Don Armstrong reported seeing bodies on the ground as officers ran between cars and buildings in search for the suspect.
Governor Greg Abbott encouraged his Twitter followers to pray for the Houston shooting victims.
Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, meantime, expressed his sorrow for the victims of the shooting.
Stick with 6abc as details emerge in this developing story.
